Belgium may be a small country, but it is the centre for NATO, the European Parliament, and many international organisations.
And though the Belge are an industrial and industrious people, they have given the world much pleasure: the comic strip Tin-Tin, internationally recognised chocolate, award winning Trappist beers, waffles, and moules et frites slathered in mayo.
In 2019, Belgians were expected to purchase $11 billion USD worth of goods and services via e-commerce, and that's growing at 7% annually. With 76% of its population using the internet and 23% of its companies engaged in e-commerce (versus a 14% average for the EU), Belgium is booming for business.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Belgium through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Belgium. Whether you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to Belgium
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Jun 2, 2023
8:49 am
Leuven, LE, BE
Delivered
Jun 1, 2023
7:18 am
Bruges, BR, BE
In transit
May 31, 2023
9:03 pm
Ghent, GH, BE
International Clearance
May 31, 2023
8:14 am
Antwerp, AN, BE
In transit
May 31, 2023
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
May 30, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Disclaimer!
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Belgium before shipping any goods.
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will require different
paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
Gifts shipped to Belgium from Canada incur no duties or taxes if the parcel has a value of less than €45 (about $67 CDN).
Above this value, import duties, VAT and excise duties, if applicable, will be charged.
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
In order for a gift shipment from Canada to be duty and tax free, certain conditions apply.
Conditions
The words "Gift Shipment" or "Unsolicited Gift" are included on the commercial invoice (see sample)
It must be from one private individual to another private individual
The gift's receiver must live in Belgium
The gifts are for the personal use of the receiver or his/her family
No payment of any kind is made to the sender
The shipment has a value no greater than €45 (about $67 CDN)
The quantity or nature of the goods do not suggest any commercial intent
Quantity Restrictions
Gifts of coffee, tea, tobacco products, perfumes and alcohol have quantity restrictions as follows:
500 g of coffee and 200 g of coffee extract
100 g of tea and 40 g of tea extract
50 cigarettes or 25 cigarillos (maximum of 3 g per cigarillo) or 10 cigars or 50 g rolling tobacco (or a proportional amount of these items)
50 g of perfume or 250 mL of eau de toilette
2 L of still wine; and one of
1 L of distilled spirits with an alcohol content of 22% or less (for e.g. sake, aperitifs, sparkling wines)
1 L of distilled spirits with an alcohol content of 22% or more (for e.g. whiskeys, liqueurs); or a proportional amount of the two
Shipments from Business-to-business
Unfortunately, no information could be found at the time of writting.
Shipments From a Business-to-Individual
If a business in Canada sends a gift valued at less than €22 (about $33 CDN) to an individual in Belgium, no duties, VAT or excise taxes will be incurred.
The table below shows the duties and VAT charges incurred for a shipment in 3 different price categories.
Parcel Value
Duties & Taxes
€22 or Less
(about $33 CDN)
No duties
No VAT
Greater than €22 but
Less than €150
(about $225 CDN)
No duties
VAT charged (21%)
Excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco
and perfumes charged
Greater than €150
(about $225 CDN)
Import duties apply
VAT charged (21%)
Excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco
and perfumes charged
Mgr. Georges Lemaî tre Catholic University of Louvain Place de l'Université 1 1348 Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve Belgium
Phone: +31 10 47 21 11
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$79.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $79.99
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Sending Multiple Gifts to Belgium
You may send multiple gifts in one shipment duty and tax free if their total value is less than €45 (about $67 CDN).
If the shipment is valued over €45 (about $67 CDN) AND has gifts each valued at less than €45, THEN:
You may add individual gift values up to €45 and be exempt from duty and taxes. The remainder of the shipment's value will incur taxes and duties.
For example, you send a parcel with 3 gifts with values of €15, €25 and €35. You will be allowed an exemption of €40 (€15 gift + €25 gift), but will be required to pay duties on the €35 gift.
Be sure to:
Words "Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package" appear in General Description of Goods as well as the Detailed description of goods
(see sample)
Individually wrap each gift separately and supply a greeting card
Ensure the names on each tag are different and clearly marked on the commercial invoice
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Mgr. Georges Lemaî tre Catholic University of Louvain Place de l'Université 1 1348 Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve Belgium
Phone: +31 10 47 21 11
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift - Roger: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$39.99
1 Each
Gift - Erica: Handwoven French Canadian Catalogne Blanket
CA
$49.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $89.98
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
It is easy to ship your personal effects to Belgium from Canada.
By following the rules established by the European Union, you will be able to bring your goods into Belgium without paying duties and taxes.
Moving Temporarily
DISCLAIMER: No information was found regarding students & non-student shipping personal effects to Spain.
However, since Spain is part of the EU, rules should be similar to other EU countries, such as Germany.
Therefore, personal effects should be exempt from duties and taxes.
Moving Permanently
If you are moving to Belgium from Canada permanently, you may bring your personal effects without paying duties and taxes by following a few rules.
You must ensure that your personal effects:
have been in your possession for at least 6 months
have been used by you in your residence in Canada for at least 6 months
are intended to be used by you in your new residence in Belgium
Conditions
You have lived outside of the EU for at least 12 consecutive months
Your goods are to arrive in Belgium within 12 months of establishing your residence in Belgium
For a period of 1 year from living in Belgium, you are not to lend, rent or transfer your personal effects to anyone
Personal Effects Checklist
The following documents must be submitted to Customs officials in one of 3 languages: French, Dutch, or German, depending on the area of Belgium you are shipping your personal effects to.
5 copies and the original of the inventory list of your household goods; the list is to be dated and signed, and all electrical devices are to be listed with serial numbers
Paperwork proving that your residence has been outside of Belgium for at least 12 months
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Mgr. Georges Lemaî tre Catholic University of Louvain Place de l'Université 1 1348 Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve Belgium
Phone: +31 10 47 21 11
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
As a member of the European Union, Belgium allows products to be repaired without duties and taxes being charged under the inward processing rules of the EU.
Inward processing means goods from outside the EU brought into the EU to have work done on them, such as repairs.
Items Under Warranty
As Belgium and Canada are participants in a free-trade agreement (CETA), repairs under warranty returning to Canada from Belgium are duty-free and will not be charged GST
Items No Longer Under Warranty
If a piece of equipment no longer under warranty was sent to Belgium for repair and is returning to Canada, GST will be charged on the value of the repair and any new parts needed to do the repair.
Sending Product for Repair to Belgium
When sending product for repair to Belgium, include the following information on the parcel:
Write 'REPAIR & RETURN' on the commercial invoice under General Description or Remarks
(see sample)
Indicate the Serial/Product number under the Detailed Description of Goods section on the commercial invoice
Include a copy of the Repair Contract with all your export documentation
Returning Product After Repairs are Completed
If your product has been repaired in Canada and is returning to Belgium, ensure to do the following:
Write 'REPAIR & RETURN' on the commercial invoice in the General Description or Remarks section
(see sample)
Indicate the value of the product INCLUDING the cost of the repair under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to Belgium
Be sure to write the necessary information on the commercial invoice according to the document checklist below.
Repair Checklist
Commercial Invoice must clearly state 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return
(see sample)
Include repair contract with shipment
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Mgr. Georges Lemaî tre Catholic University of Louvain Place de l'Université 1 1348 Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve Belgium
Phone: +31 10 47 21 11
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
Belgium allows for the temporary importation of goods without paying duties or taxes for a period of no more than 24 months.
Under certain circumstances, customs authorities may allow an extension beyond 24 months, but this will require justification.
Be sure to indicate the return date of the goods on the commercial invoice.
Goods that are often part of a temporary import include:
Materials and goods to be used for entertainment or during a public exhibition such as a trade show booth
Items that will be used or displayed at a fair, exhibition or event
Objects of art for a public exhibit
Commercial samples
Scientific, medical and professional equipment
Equipment required to evaluate and test the operation of other goods and equipment
Tools and specialised equipment required for repairing, exploring, producing or manufacturing
Temporary admissions are expected to follow the points below. The goods:
are intended for a particular use
will remain unchanged other than from normal wear-and-tear
can be maintained and repaired so that they will function as expected
Qualifying for Duty & Tax Free Temporary Import
In order to import your goods duty and tax free into Belgium, you can pick from 1 of the 2 Temporary Import Methods listed below.
Each option has its pros and cons. Regardless, each of the following methods requires you to complete a Commercial Invoice (CI). More details
below.
Option #
Temporary Import Method
Risk of paying Duties and taxes
1
Commercial Invoice Only
High - if broker cannot clear goods temporarily
2
Commercial Invoice + ATA Carnet
Very Low
1. Complete a Commercial Invoice Only
This is the simplest and quickest option. See example.
NOTE: You should be aware that shipping using this method doesn't guarantee that your items will be imported duty/tax free. Not all brokers will clear goods as temporary imports (i.e. UPS, Fedex, DHL), nor is it a guarantee that customs won't charge any duties and taxes.
2. CI + an ATA Carnet
This option is great for items that frequently travel in and out of the country. It's also great because once you have an ATA Carnet, it is accepted by 176 countries worldwide making the application process a one-time thing.
In addition to declaring your commercial invoice as a temporary import, you can get an ATA Carnet for the items that are of temporary nature.
ATA Carnets are beyond the scope of this article. You can however, contact your local chamber of commerce and they will be able to guide you along. You can also find more information here: http://www.chamber.ca/carnet/
In addition to the 2 options listed above, the following conditions must also be met in order to qualify for a duty and VAT free exemption:
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, allowing for normal wear and tear; maintenance and minor repairs are allowed under certain conditions
If an ATA Carnet is used, the goods may stay no longer than 1 year in Belgium
NOTE: If the above conditions are not followed, duties and taxes will be charged as though the goods have been imported permanently.
Temporary Import Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating "Temporary Import" including the return date. This must be written in the General Description section
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Mgr. Georges Lemaî tre Catholic University of Louvain Place de l'Université 1 1348 Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve Belgium
Phone: +31 10 47 21 11
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This process alone can be confusing and time-consuming.
So we’ve narrowed down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels).
These are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a controlled good
and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with Belgium. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Belgium, it will incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise,
it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process and
ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties and taxes.
Import duties and taxes in Belgium are calculated based on the sum of the Customs Value, Insurance Amount, and Freight costs (shipping costs). This is known as CIF.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
Using the CIF Value, you can predict how much duty & tax the recipient must pay to the Belgian government to receive their goods.
Thresholds
Some countries have a threshold below which duties and taxes are not charged. This is known as the de minimis value. For Belgium,
the de miminis for duties is €150 CIF (about $225 CDN); there is no de minimis value for VAT.
NOTE: Alcoholic beverages, perfumes, and eau de toilette are always subject to VAT, duties, and excise taxes.
Currency
Euro (EUR) - €
Duty Exemption (De minimis Value)
€ 150
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (VAT)
21% (Standard)
12% & 6% (Reduced)
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value)
€0 - effective July 1st, 2021
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
Since Canada signed a Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) with the EU, most duties on goods sold to Belgium are nil.
To take full advantage of the tariff rates provided under CETA, you will need to follow the rules of origin for your shipments. Refer to the
Guide to the CETA Rules of Origin
to help you through this process.
You can purchase
insurance
through Secureship and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment our system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable, if it doesn’t meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Shipping to Belgium from Canada can take between 2-5 business days through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform.
More economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 2 months to complete the delivery.
